Balancing versatility with simplicity, San Francisco-based Olivers Apparel sets out to inject a bit of sophistication in the fit and styling of men’s athletic apparel. Their very first offering, the ); return…
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Jeff Thrasher is the lead men’s designer at Lululemon. In his role, he’s first and foremost responsible for creating the future product line and aesthetic of the brand’s men’s range, but on a detailed scale, he’s…
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Whether you lost yours last summer and need a replacement pair, or you are simply looking to up your swim style game this year, you may want to take a look at Everest Isles’ soon-to-launch Mayol…
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Vibrant limited-edition swim trunks inspired by 1950s Mediterranean style
Founded on the principles of bespoke tailoring and a superlative attention to detail, NYC’s Seize sur Vingt makes men’s and women’s apparel with a penchant for elegant fabrics and classic colors. To step away from the confines of subdued hues, the young brand adventurously called upon NYC-based artist Paul Weil to design an exclusive range of swim trunks. As a stand-alone release apart from the major seasonal collections, the newly launched suits offer the perfect breath of fresh summer air.
Drawing inspiration from his paintings, as well as Mediterranean fashion of the 1950s and ’60s, Weil created two colorful prints called “Peacock” and “Vision.” Each offers a playful splash of color in the repeating patterns, while the Seize sur Vingt-designed houndstooth shorts anchor the collection together with a bold graphic.
The label printed just 60 meters of each fabric for a limited run. The quality in the low-quantity line is ensured by production in a modest factory in central France.
For more information on the collaboration trunks visit Seize sur Vingt directly where they go for $140 each, otherwise have a look through the slideshow for a closer look at the details of these slim-fitting shorts.
A darkly comic take on rural cults wins top honors at the LES Film Festival
If you think “new noir” sounds like the latest buzzword designed to put Lana del Rey on the map, check out “The Kook.” The short, made by two NYC directors known as Peking (full disclosure: also frequent Cool Hunting collaborators), won the Audience Award after a sold-out screening held by the LES Film Festival last night. The moment helps shed some light on why the shadowy genre continues to feel so relevant.
In just its second year, the festival celebrates projects made for $200,000 or less. In many cases, much less. Co-founder Shannon Walker explains this “special time” for filmmaking as one when “you can tell a great story for not a lot of money”, citing a film shot entirely on a Nokia phone.
But, Walker emphasizes, the focus is on great storytelling. The selection process comes down to whether committee members “audibly have a reaction to it,” as Tony Castle (part of the fest’s creative team) puts it. The Kook, the story of a cult of people who wear yellow sweatsuits and rock bowl cuts, inspired plenty of noisy reactions among the audience.
The film follows Fa, the naive protagonist and enthusiastic cult member played by T Sahara Meer, on her journey for the truth after finding evidence that the operation is a ruse. She stumbles upon the leader, Malcolm (played by Dan Burkarth), a lowlife who is suffering some unknown pressure that leads him to manipulate his followers. In the process of Fa’s discovery, we see her pull back the curtain, revealing an unsettling truth and in turn finding unknown strength within.
Art direction, consisting of thrifted costumes and borrowed locations, makes one of the strongest cases for low-budget filmmaking by creating a complete off-kilter world. Even something as incongruous as an ’80s-era control panel embedded in a tree is believable.
The finely-crafted piece springs to life through gorgeous noir lighting and subtle cinematography, made all the more compelling with precise editing and rich sound design. Under the helm of the skilled directors, the excellent performances help cement a cohesive tone.
The team, comprised of Nat Livingston-Johnson and Greg Mitnick, have a background in music videos, documentary (see Cool Hunting Video) and commercial work, but it’s The Kook that truly showcases their talent for dark comedy. They’ve already earned rave reviews and awards at independent film festivals coast to coast, and we’re looking forward to more success for the film and the filmmakers.
To see more, watch the trailer for The Kook.
The bizarre new short from director Frank Sisti Jr. and Kid America Club explores the transformation of adulthood
Looking at emerging film work these days, some may argue that the accessibility of tools seems to make would-be filmmakers think they don’t actually have to be creative. That’s far from the case with “Stuff” a new short by director Frank Sisti Jr., proving inspired (and resourceful) filmmaking is alive and well.
From Mathew Cerletty, the artist behind the portrait of the film’s supporting character, to cult actor Kevin Corrigan of “Superbad” fame, Sisti leveraged some heavyweight talent to help bring his kooky vision to life. A natural extension of the mayhem and bizarro comedy typical of Frankie’s Apartment, and Kid America Club, the film showcases some strong acting and truly enjoyable moments.
The central character Felix (played by Corrigan), has led a relatively reclusive life. His isolation began as a child upon meeting Stuff, his colorful and monstrous imaginary friend. Now 35, Felix maintains a mundane existence, caring for his curmudgeonly drunkard of a father, hanging out with Stuff working on grandiose projects and silently obsessing over the attractive cashier at the neighborhood bakery (played by Cara Buono). Based in the New York City borough of Queens, the film does an excellent job of bringing the character of the area out through the actors, Sisti and crew establishing the perfect setting for a story of adult transformation.
Stuff provides a superb entrance into short film. Witty, driven and relatable, the film features some excellent visuals which, when combined with the grade-A performances, produce a piece that carries the thoughtful narrative with charm.
Rethinking the standard brand film, Waris Ahluwalia creates a dreamy love adventure to feature select hotels
Premiering last night, HERE is a dreamy short film produced by Waris Ahluwalia for The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. A romantic treasure hunt of sorts, the film stars Agyness Deyn, whose journey takes her halfway around the world following clues that lead to her mate. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and shot in only nine days, the team traveled from the Equinox Resort
in Manchester, Vermont to the Phoenician Resort in Scotsdale, Arizona and finally ended at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki.
A puzzle, a journey and an adventure in luxury, the 15-minute film is warming and meditative. The piece is timeless—there are no hints of when, only where. The hotels are featured, but not promoted. It’s a simple love story full of happiness and levity. The costumes, sets and lighting are all gorgeous. HERE is a piece of art, but HERE is also a film commissioned by the brand and marketing group at Starwood’s The Luxury Collection. While we’re not surprised Waris and his team could produce such a great work, it’s a pleasure to know that an organization like Starwood could step back and have trust in the creative process, letting a piece like this come to life.
Ten athletic-wear items sure to keep stride indoors and out
With marathon season in full swing stateside, those looking to get in on the action either need to take their running regime indoors or layer up to beat the impeding cold air and wetter conditions. We’ve been road-testing gear for ladies from singlets to shoes, indoors and out, and have selected 10 essential pieces that will keep you warm on a run in the park or cool you down when training indoors.
Made with Lycra and multifilament polyamide—the kind of blend used for pro racing suits—the Fitness Top from Brazilian label Track & Field ($62) is a fully supportive sports bra with a vibrant pattern to energize you from the start. The stretchy fabric adapts to the shape of your body, maintaining comfort on a long run. Get your hands on one online or at their NYC boutique.
Nike’s no-nonsense Miler ($25) singlet is a straightforward staple worn by seasoned runners. The signature Dri-Fit fabric is incredibly lightweight, and its high-performance moisture-wicking properties and loose fit make for an ultra-comfortable run no matter how long the distance. The Miler comes in seven different colors and features flat seams to prevent chafing.
Lululemon’s stylish ultra-soft knit Swiftly Tech shirt ($58) works well as a base layer or on its own. The Swiftly is woven with yarn made from actual silver—a technique that yields what they call silverescent—in order to continuously kill odor-causing bacteria that typically build up in a shirt after several wears. The seamless construction significantly reduces chafing and and gives you absolute freedom of movement, and the strategically placed ventilation openings keep you feeling (and looking) fresh on a long run.
The soft Half-Zip from Nike ($80) is well insulated yet breathable, with a wool outer layer to get through chilly days or cool-down sessions. Flat seams add comfort, built-in hand warmers keep you toasty, zip pockets let you carry a little extra with you and key reflector strips add an extra safety precaution.
Packed with ultra-warm PrimaLoft fill, Aether’s Space Hoodie ($295) offers substantial insulation without the weight, and the “made-in-North-America” jacket’s slim silhouette looks sharp while still allowing for plenty of movement. The pocket within a pocket holds your iPod, complete with a stitched opening to pull through your earbuds cord through, keeping it secure inside the coat and from getting tangled while your arms are swinging.
The Icebreaker Swift Short ($60) blends soft merino wool with Lycra spandex in a flattering cut that looks fast, even if you aren’t. Even with just a 2.5-inch inseam, the trunks manage to hide an unobtrusive interior key pouch while showing off those sexy gams you worked so hard to shape up.
For those really cold days, it’s best to stick with the Pro Winter Training Pant ($125) from the winter sports gurus at Helly Hansen. Added stretch and articulated knees let your legs reach a full stride, while reflective stripes add a bit of panache—and nighttime safety—to a winter jog.
Squeeze your soreness into submission with these Elite Compression Tights from 2XU ($149). By applying pressure to your muscles, the tights promote circulation and stave off the buildup of lactic acid, allowing you to get moving again sooner. We tried several brands and 2XU had us at the top of our game after a 5K or a long day on the mountain.
They might look a little odd, but the benefits of individual-toe sneakers outweigh any style shortcomings. Adidas’ Adipure shoes ($90) are among the sleekest we’ve found, fitting to your foot like a padded sock. The shoes aren’t designed for running—they’re supposed to increase stability and dexterity for strength training—but we’ve found that they also help with balance and strength on the treadmill. Best of all, they’re washable—after a month at the gym simply toss them in the washing machine and they’ll smell just like new.
Moving outside on uneven terrain calls for a thicker sole. The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light ($135) features the brand’s patented Blade-Light technology, which provides a cushioned crash pad without the extra weight. The shoe’s P2i ion-mask technology provides water resistance on rainy days, and the seamless upper is exceptionally comfortable, even at mile 26. Having always associated K-Swiss with tennis, we were admittedly wary of their running shoes. However, their recent Runner’s World award for Best Debut certainly caught our attention, and they’ve clearly put the time into R&D for the current line of superior running shoes.
Made in California, Shortomatic board shorts update the classic surf style with a host of patterns designed by both renowned and emerging artists like these pictured above by Brandi Milne and William Cawley respectively, or for a fully personalized pair you can customize your own by uploading an original image as shown below using some of my photos from Tokyo, shopable here.
Shortomatic began as many passionate companies do, out of a frustration for lack of options. Feeling that board shorts all boasted the same graphics—usually of Hawaiian flowers or stripes—the team behind Shortomatic decided to challenge the stale market with a collection of bold and artistically driven patterns. Each pair is printed, cut and sewn in Los Angeles and made from a sturdy super suede polyester microfiber.
The shorts can all be designed and purchased online, each pair is $99 with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Global Green organization.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
